AKL - Glad we were relocated - Questions?

[dadog]

Just got back from a split stay at the POR (Building 18) for 4 days and POLY LV Club (Hawaii Building Room 3516) for 3 days. We were relocated from AKL Concierge to the Poly. We visited the AKL our last day (yesterday) and boy were we glad we were relocated. The resort construction was loud. Also, the resort itself is very secluded far away from the theme parks and very dark (almost gothic). We would have been very disappointed had we not moved. I will try to post pics later.

 

[rabx5]

Just got back from a split stay at the POR (Building 18) for 4 days and POLY LV Club (Hawaii Building Room 3516) for 3 days. We were relocated from AKL Concierge to the Poly. We visited the AKL our last day (yesterday) and boy were we glad we were relocated. The resort construction was loud. Also, the resort itself is very secluded far away from the theme parks and very dark (almost gothic). We would have been very disappointed had we not moved. I will try to post pics later.

I'm glad you were able to get over there to actually see the construction and hear it for a report-but.....to call it almost gothic actually made me laugh out loud. If you get a chance to stay there, please do so. It's not dark at all. I find the lobby no darker than Wilderness Lodge or Poly.
Glad you had a nice stay at Poly and POR though

 

[LindaR]

OP, glad you were happy with your trip! Not EVERYONE is a "fan" of AKL. I don't like it either (stayed there in 2003). But, that's why WDW has so many resorts with different themes....so you can find something that appeals to you and your family.

 

[dadog]

OP, glad you were happy with your trip! Not EVERYONE is a "fan" of AKL. I don't like it either (stayed there in 2003). But, that's why WDW has so many resorts with different themes....so you can find something that appeals to you and your family.

I think you are correct. I was just very surprise at how dark it was. The Poly is certainly not dark (lol). It is very well lit. I just think Disney for doing me the favor of moving people. Otherwise, our disney vacation would have been a downer when we would have arrived at the AKL.

 

[hmp2z]

It's not dark at all. I find the lobby no darker than Wilderness Lodge or Poly.

It's actually much darker in the AKL rooms than the WL or Poly rooms. And I know this because we record our recaps each evening on our video camera, and, at the AKL, the only place that our camera could even pick up our images (with all bedroom lights on) was inside the bathroom. We had to go into there and record the recaps, as opposed to the WL, GF, BC, BWI, Poly, where we could just sit on the bed and record them. I figure that the camera was a pretty objective measure of relative light levels.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

It's true that AKL has darker themeing than the other resorts, but that's Africa. There isn't much light colored fabric or wood in Africa. It wouldn't make sense to use "beach" coloring in an African inspired resort. I, too almost laughed when I read it compared to gothic! That makes it sound like the overall scheme is black when it's actually deep reds, oranges, yellow and blue.

I'm glad you were switched because it sounds like you would have been miserable at this resort. I agree that the Poly is wonderful and that's our other favorite resort!


Rachel

 

[Flossbolna]

dadog, I am glad that having to relocate worked out so well for you! Even though I love AKL, I can see that it would not be to everyone's taste! It's great that you got to stay at resort you really enjoyed!

I agree that AKL appears to be a bit darker, they use a lot of dark materials. However, I personally never considered it a dark hotel and I am personal who loves very well lit rooms!

The funny thing is that while there seems to be a consensus that AKL rooms are too dark, the Unofficial Guide actually meassured the lighting in the rooms of all WDW Resorts and rated AKL rooms to have the best lighting (together with CR, Poly, WL, GF and WLV) in all of WDW!!

 

[dis-happy]

It's my understanding that the new DVC villas at AKL have been updated from the original drawings to make the furniture, etc. not as heavy and dark. When we visited the mock-up rooms at SSR I REALLY liked them (and light is terribly important to me). Glad you got moved and had a great trip, but we are looking forward to our Savannah View stay at AKL next Feb.

 

[mika911]

Just got back from a split stay at the POR (Building 18) for 4 days and POLY LV Club (Hawaii Building Room 3516) for 3 days. We were relocated from AKL Concierge to the Poly. We visited the AKL our last day (yesterday) and boy were we glad we were relocated. The resort construction was loud. Also, the resort itself is very secluded far away from the theme parks and very dark (almost gothic). We would have been very disappointed had we not moved. I will try to post pics later.

Did you see guests walking around in the lobby and whatnot?

 

[dadog]

Did you see guests walking around in the lobby and whatnot?

We saw maybe 6 or 8 checking in and in the lobby and 10 -12 at the pool. There were very few animals out and about as well. For the money, WL is a better option (IMO).